In a significant stride towards transforming India’s educational landscape, global visual communication platform Canva has officially signed a MoU with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This landmark collaboration aims to empower educators across India by rolling out free digital training and certification programs directly through the Ministry of Education’s widely-used DIKSHA platform. The initiative is a direct response to the ambitious goals set forth by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on enhancing digital literacy, fostering creativity, and boosting AI proficiency among teachers nationwide.
Empowering Educators with Modern Digital Skills
The core of this partnership lies in providing Indian teachers with free, comprehensive access to Canva’s intuitive education platform. This access will enable educators to transcend traditional teaching methods, allowing them to effortlessly co-create dynamic lesson plans, visually engaging infographics, and AI-enhanced content. A crucial aspect of this program is its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, with content being made available in multiple Indian languages. This multilingual approach ensures that the benefits of digital learning tools can reach even the most remote classrooms, including those accessed via the PM e-Vidya DTH channels, which play a vital role in bridging the digital divide in areas with limited internet connectivity.
Upon successful completion of the training, participating teachers will receive a certification jointly endorsed by both NCERT and Canva, adding significant value to their professional qualifications. This certification is designed to validate their newly acquired digital and creative skills, preparing them for the evolving demands of modern pedagogy.
A Vision Aligned with NEP 2020 and Digital India
This collaboration is deeply rooted in the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the critical need for digital literacy, computational thinking, and the integration of technology into all facets of education. The DIKSHA platform, often referred to as the National Teacher Platform, is a key digital public infrastructure (DPI) by the Ministry of Education, designed to provide quality e-content and professional development for teachers across states and Union Territories. Its robust framework, supporting over 18 languages and various curricula, makes it an ideal conduit for this large-scale training initiative.
“This partnership is a powerful step toward equipping educators with practical digital skills that not only save time but spark imagination in every classroom,” stated Jason Wilmot, Canva’s Head of Education, highlighting the transformative potential for teaching methodologies. Chandrika Deb, Country Manager, Canva India, further emphasized, “We are deepening Canva’s long-term commitment to India and democratizing design and creativity at scale,” signaling Canva’s strategic investment in India’s educational future.
Canva’s Global Impact and the Future of Learning
Canva brings a wealth of global experience and a proven track record in educational technology to this partnership. The platform boasts an impressive user base of over 100 million students and teachers globally. Recent internal data from Canva underscores the profound impact of creative, tech-driven learning: teachers’ usage of AI tools on the platform has surged by 50%, while student engagement has soared by an astounding 107%. These figures are a testament to how digital tools, especially those enhanced with AI, can revolutionize classroom dynamics, making learning more interactive, engaging, and effective.
The collaboration between Canva and NCERT represents a forward-thinking approach to teacher empowerment in India. By providing free, accessible, and high-quality digital training, the initiative is set to equip a new generation of Indian educators with the skills necessary to foster creativity, critical thinking, and digital fluency in their students, thereby shaping a more digitally adept and innovative future for the nation.
